Cancun, Q.R. — The city of Cancun is preparing for Day of the Dead celebrations with the creation of larger than life-size Catrinas. Artists Héctor García Ramírez and Fabiola Sánchez Ruiz said that they have been working for two and a half months to prepare the Catrina sculptures that will be the protagonists of the IV edition of Hanal Pixán.
The artists are also creating a four-meter-high sculpture of the same theme. The finished creations will be part of the annual Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) or Hanal Pixán, the Mayan celebration of Day of the Dead.
Artistic members of the Municipal Secretariat of Social and Economic Development are fine-tuning the final details of the colorful and traditional Catrinas that will adorn the public outdoor event in Cancun on October 31, November 1, 2 and 3.
This year, the traditional Mexican celebration will include 18 pieces. The characters are made with PVC pipe, wire hoops, newspaper, cardboard, paint and accessories to give them an elegant outfit.
During Dia de Muertos, residents honor their loved ones by attending graveyards. Crews have began the task of cleaning the municipal pantheons in preparation of the thousands of visitors expected over the four days of Hanal Pixán.
During the annual event, families of deceased loved ones create alters with photos and favorite foods of the departed. For those who have loved ones buried locally, a visit to the cemetery with food is a family event. Graves are adorned with food, toys for children, candles and marigolds.
The celebration is held across Mexico with public events that include parades, pavilions and a variety of displays with people arriving in their own version of a Catrina character.
La Catrina is a character created by the Mexican painter, illustrator and caricaturist José Guadalupe Posada from the state of Aguascalientes and is the figure most associated with the Day of the Dead and death in general in Mexico, which is known throughout the world.
